Order of the Yellow Ribbon

The "Palais Ducal" in Nevers. A place where one played strange games.

The Order of the Yellow Ribbon was founded in 1600 in Nevers by French-Italian nobleman Charles III, Duke of Nevers, nephew of the French king Henry III, and knights would be imposed very peculiar tasks.

Details and insignia

They would have to practice the Italian game "la mara" (raising even or odd numbers of fingers), ride on a gray horse with a red-dyed bridle, and share their goods. Ackermann writes that, according to some sources, partner exchange would also be part of the obligations of membership.

The French king forbade the Order soon after its founding. This remarkable chivalric Order, one that could be perceived as a mockery of existing chivalric orders, is nevertheless included in the historical orders of France.

See also

• Order of the Annunciation, founded in 1619 by Charles III, Duke of Nevers too.

Sources

• Gustav Adolph Ackermann, " Ordensbuch, Sämtlicher in Europa blühender und erloschener Orden und Ehrenzeichen ". Annaberg, 1855